BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The founder and head of a non-profit – meant to help dogs – is now charged with 30 counts of first-degree animal cruelty.
This follows the rescue of dozens of dogs from a property near Bellingham, operated by the non-profit Pittie Project PNW.
“Just kind of pulled at our heart strings,” said Matt Myers as he and Kayla Shimizu dropped off dog food for the dogs, which are now recovering at Whatcom County Humane.
Pictures from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office show that some of the dogs are so thin that you can see their ribs. Some have open wounds and others had matted and dirty fur.
Deputies say the dogs were living in unsanitary conditions, with no access to adequate food and water, even though the non-profit had received donated dog food and thousands of dollars to support the animals.
Matt and Kayla had reached out to the non-profit to adopt.
“Honestly, I felt pretty sick to my stomach because we’ve been looking at some of those dogs that were available at the Pittie Project. And then we saw online what happened with them being seized,” Kayla said.
Seventeen dogs were rescued Monday and concerned volunteers removed 13 dogs earlier.
Pittie Project founder and director, 38-year-old Ashley Georgia, was charged Wednesday with 30 counts of first-degree animal cruelty.
Each count is a Class C felony, which can be punishable by five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Matt and Kayla say they are simply relieved that the dogs are now in good care.
KIRO 7 knocked on the door of Pittie Project PNW for comment but no one answered.
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